Heart of the Dove (Dragon Chalice #3) [Randwulf & Serena] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

I gotta say that though this series wasn't my favorite, and I had many misgivings about the prior books (as well as this one), I actually liked the way it ended, the way it came full circle. All my questions were answered and though I had my guesses throughout this book (and the series) I was still surprised with some of the things that were revealed as well as the ending it self. I can honestly say it's the best possible outcome and better than I would have guessed.

The quest to finding the last piece of the Dragon Chalice continues. This time it's Rand's job. We started the journey with the firs piece already in the hands of our main villain Silas de Mortaine and even more than that he also had Ariana's brother as his prisoner trying to figure out where the other pieces are through Kenrick's life work of finding information about the Dragon Chalice and where the 4 pieces could be. So in the first and second books each of our couples - Ariana with Braedon and later Kenrick with Haven each found one part, leaving the very last one for Rand.

Unlike our main villain each of the couples weren't consumed but the job of retrieving all the parts for fame and glory, which was also why it was easier for them to give the task away to the "next in line" once they found a happier state of living with the love of their lives by their side. With Rand it's different since he already LOST his family before he starts his quest. For him it's all about revenge. Yet this IS a romance story so Rand not only gets his revenge and ambition regarding the Dragon Chalice he also finds someone who gets him and loves him for who and how he is. Can anyone ask for more? 

Heart of the Flame (Dragon Chalice #2) [Kenrick & Haven] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

I don't know.. This wasn't a favorite either. I'm not sure why but the book just sort of dragged. About half way through I felt like nothing is happening, our two MCs circled one around the other, very little was revealed about our heroine and her story and very little happened with Kenrick and the continuation of the Dragon Chalice search. When we FINALLY get to about two thirds in things started to take action - both on the romance and the action but at that point I was too restless so I admit to skimming a bit.

Truth being told, after reading Lara's first 4 Historical novels and especially after knowing her well enough in her "Midnight Breed" series I expected more and this series simply doesn't deliver. Naturally I'm going to read the next (and final) one but I'm not excited about it anymore. Though from where the story is left off I feel like there's A LOT of things to close so I hope the next one will be more action packed at least.

We left the previous one with two cups of the Dragon Chalice found - one in the hands of out great villain Silas de Mortaine and the other in the hands of Kenrick Kenrick of Clairmont - Ariana's brother. Ariana and Braedon had enough of adventures, so now they are back at the family estate together with Kenrick who came especially to pay a visit to an old friend Randwulf of Greycliff. Rand wasn't there to greet him, he was killed by Silas' men together with his wife and son while Silas was looking for a special artifact Kenrick left for his keep before he left on his way to France a year before. Now that Rand is dead and the artifact is gone Kenrick is unsure how to continue. His only possible clue is a woman who was left for dead on the estate.

Heart of the Hunter (Dragon Chalice #1) [Ariana & Braedon] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

I'm not sure what I was expecting but this was, well, different. While there is a definite Paranormal element to this one, it takes quite a while until we understand where it comes from and there are STILL many questions left unanswered. I guess the world building in this one was more of a "you get the information you need as you go" and I gotta say, I'm not a fan. Yeah it means there's a HUGE element of mystery to this one but I felt too much in the dark and so it was less engaging for me. That being said, as this IS Lara, once the action starts I really enjoyed the pace.

Ariana of Clairmont is on a mission. After receiving information her brother is being held prisoner in France and will only be freed if she comes by herself with his ransom - his life work journals about the magical "Dragon Chalice"and where it can be found - she sets up for the journey. But before she even set sails across the sea her bodyguard is killed and her savior doesn't really feel like the "saving" type. Getting him to accept accompanying her to her destination is also a difficult task especially as she can't really tell what he WANTS from her or WHY is he really doing all of this for her.

Braedon "le Chasseur" ("The Hunter") is frustrated with himself getting stuck somehow in Ariana's business. While he acts as if he's helping her, he is mostly trying to return her back home, especially when he realizes what she is tangled in now is exactly what almost killed him (but DID kill some of his best mates) less than two years ago. He might be the best hunter with amazing instincts but what Ariana is after will need much more of that. There is dark magic involved and he would rather they both turn away from it before it's too late.